Rider Stories

Anna's Story

The big smile and pink cowboy boots give it all away. Anna is not your average cowgirl! Anna started riding at CTRC in the summer of 2009 as part of CTRC's collaboration with the University of Colorado's Health Sciences Autism Research Study and has been riding here ever since. And with a lot of hard work, Anna has come a long way. During her evaluation, it took 15 minutes for Anna to get on her horse and she was crying the whole time. She only quieted down when the horse started moving. Now Anna is the first one in the door at CTRC and she can't wait to start riding!

There have been other changes as well. Anna's mom, Kim, says they have seen significant changes with Anna since she started riding at CTRC. "During her first session alone, Anna's non verbal IQ went up 7 points!" And Anna's doctor has been noticing changes too. Before Anna began riding at CTRC, she was in the 10th percentile in terms of height and weight. But in the last year, she has gained enough weight to move into the 30th percentile. Her doctor also remarked on the noticeable changes in both her trunk control and increased leg strength. "Her tone has improved tremendously and has evened out so that both legs have equal strength." In addition, Anna has gained self confidence by learning how to interact and work with her favorite CTRC horse, Durango.

Therapeutic riding has had a tremendous impact on Anna's life. She's working hard without even knowing it - building strength, gaining confidence and learning all about transitions on and off the horse. And best of all, on "Durango Day", Anna's mom can get her to do anything – even brush her teeth!

Kaylin and Anthony's Story

"We love horses for what they embody: freedom, spirit, adventure, perseverance, and drive."

That is what siblings, Kaylin and Anthony have found while riding at CTRC. Anthony, diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder rides in our hippotherapy program while his sister, Kaylin rides in therapeutic riding. Both kids have made great strides at CTRC. As their mom, Tara puts it, "Kaylin has a true love and desire to be a good rider. She has gotten an extra boost in her self confidence since starting therapeutic riding at CTRC. She is better able to follow directions and has become very independent. She loves to help tack and groom her horse, Marilyn, before lessons start and spends time untacking her after lessons are over. Two of the biggest gifts is that she is learning about compassion and has become a much more responsible person. Kaylin told us she will be taking lessons at CTRC forever!" That's fine with us!

Anthony is in his second session of hippotherapy at CTRC and is working with a Speech and Language Therapist. About Anthony, Tara says, "After his summer session of hippotherapy, we saw GREAT strides in his ability to communicate. With a lot of hard work, he is able to have an actual conversation with us now!! He also LOVES the horses. He rode Sassy during the summer and is now on Clown and will tell anyone who will listen to him about the horses at CTRC. All of the volunteers and Amy, his instructor, have made therapy such a rewarding and fun activity for him, we really love coming to CTRC."